Therapeutically Supporting Children to Recover from the Impact of Family Violence

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Powell ◽  
Kathy Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Client Population ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Specific Practice ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Systems Framework ◽  
The Impact

Family violence (also referred to as Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence) describes violence that occurs within an intimate relationship, whether a current or former partner. Children can experience a range of abuses (emotional, physical, sexual and neglect) within the context of family violence, and harm is cumulative and may present as complex trauma. This paper is based on a practice presentation delivered at the International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne (Australia) in June 2016. The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of the impacts for children who have experienced family violence, to enhance understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to their trauma presentation, and to highlight the specific practice issues and considerations in providing therapeutic support to this client population, with the ultimate aim of improving diagnostic and treatment outcomes for children impacted by family violence. Sufficient safety and stability are required for children to experience therapeutic change, and if family violence is current, the initial response needs to be protective. Identification of family violence should prompt practitioners to use trauma-informed assessment and trauma-focused evidence-based treatments within a family therapy and systems framework. Family violence is complex and there are many barriers to treatment and practice considerations. Expansion of practitioner knowledge and skills in family violence trauma will enhance outcomes for children who have experienced family violence.

scholarly journals Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care in a Housing First Program for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Ward-Lasher ◽  
Jill Messing ◽  
Jillian Stein-Seroussi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Housing First ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Permanent Housing ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
The Impact

The intersection of trauma with the need for safe, stable, sustainable, and long-term housing is important when working with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV advocacy agencies are advised to use a trauma-informed approach to help practitioners understand the impact of IPV on individuals. Housing First, a model addressing homelessness that provides permanent housing without preconditions, has been found to increase housing stability for survivors of IPV. Thus, we used a case study approach to examine how practitioners and administrators implement trauma-informed care in a Housing First program for IPV survivors. Trauma-informed care principles and the Housing First model were found to be complementary. The majority of clients in this program retained housing up to 3-months after services ended and increased their safety and knowledge of domestic violence. Combining Housing First with trauma-informed care may increase success for survivors of IPV. 

Alcohol Accessibility and Family Violence-related Ambulance Attendances

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052098626
Author(s):  
Debbie Scott ◽  
Rowan P. Ogeil ◽  
Foruhar Maoyeri ◽  
Cherie Heilbronn ◽  
Kerri Coomber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Alcohol Outlet ◽  
Late Night ◽  
Spatial Autoregressive ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
The Impact

There is substantial evidence supporting the association between alcohol license density and violent crime. However, the impact of different types of alcohol licenses on intimate partner and family violence is sparse. We explored the associations between access to alcohol outlets, and family and intimate partner violence using paramedic clinical records, given this service is often the first to respond to acute crises. Coded ambulance attendance data from 694 postcodes in Victoria, Australia, from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018 where alcohol or another drug, mental health or self-harm associated with family or intimate partner violence was indicated were examined. A hybrid model of spatial autoregressive and negative binomial zero-inflated Poisson-based count regression models was used to examine associations with alcohol outlet density and socioeconomic factors. We found that access to a liquor license outlet was significantly associated with family violence-related attendances across all types of outlets, including on-premise (late night) licenses ( β = 1.73, SE: 0.18), restaurant licenses ( β = 0.83, SE: 0.28), and packaged liquor licenses ( β = 0.62, SE: 0.06). Our results demonstrate a significant relationship between alcohol-related harms in the context of family violence and provides evidence of the relationship between alcohol-related family violence in both victims and perpetrators. The findings of this study highlight the need for public health interventions such as licensing policy and town planning changes to reduce these harms by restricting alcohol availability.

scholarly journals Nga-tahi Project

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Wills ◽  
Bernice Gabriel ◽  
Kay Morris Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Cultural Leadership ◽  
Client Group ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Trauma Informed Practice ◽  
Collaborative Activities ◽  
The Impact

Ngätahi is a three-year project aiming to identify and embed the additional competencies needed for the children’s workforce to work with families experiencing intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, mental illness, addictions, poverty and poor supports. Mäori tamariki (children) and whänau are over-represented in this client group. Collective impact, appreciative inquiry and a robust tikanga inform the project. A formal Treaty of Waitangi partnership with the local iwi, Ngäti Kahungunu, provides cultural leadership at all levels of the project. Twenty-seven agencies or services representing 441 practitioners have engaged in the project in Hawke’s Bay. The three priorities for competency development identified are: engaging effectively with Mäori (EEWM), mental health and addictions (MHA) and trauma-informed practice (TIP). Within the TIP work stream, addressing practitioners’ burnout, fatigue and vicarious trauma is the first priority. The three work streams are currently developing curricula and identifying leaders to deliver training locally, and delivering activities to embed the new competencies into practice and metrics to demonstrate the impact of the new competencies on practice and on outcomes. Qualitative interviews demonstrate high commitment from the workforce and its leaders, consistent priorities for development of additional competencies and important lessons learnt. We suggest that this model may be helpful for policymakers considering other collaborative activities to address ‘wicked’ or complex problems, and offer some lessons learnt to date.

scholarly journals Provider perspectives on the provision of safe, equitable, trauma-informed care for intimate partner violence survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma E. Williams ◽  
Kaetlyn R. Arant ◽  
Valia P. Leifer ◽  
Mardi Chadwick Balcom ◽  
Nomi C. Levy-Carrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
System Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Provider Perspectives ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Early research suggests the COVID-19 pandemic worsened intimate partner violence (IPV) in the US. In particular, stay-at-home orders and social distancing kept survivors in close proximity to their abusers and restricted access to resources and care. We aimed to understand and characterize the impact of the pandemic on delivery of IPV care in Boston. Methods We conducted individual interviews with providers of IPV care and support in the Greater Boston area, including healthcare workers, social workers, lawyers, advocates, and housing specialists, who continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using thematic analysis, we identified themes describing the challenges and opportunites providers faced in caring for survivors during the pandemic. Results Analysis of 18 interviews yielded four thematic domains, encompassing 18 themes and nine sub-themes. Thematic analysis revealed that the pandemic posed an increased threat to survivors of IPV by exacerbating external stressors and leading to heightened violence. On a system level, the pandemic led to widespread uncertainty, strained resources, amplified inequities, and loss of community. On an individual level, COVID-19 restrictions limited survivors’ abilities to access resources and to be safe, and amplified pre-existing inequities, such as limited technology access. Those who did not speak English or were immigrants experienced even more difficulty accessing resources due to language and/or cultural barriers. To address these challenges, providers utilized video and telephone interactions, and stressed the importance of creativity and cooperation across different sectors of care. Conclusions While virtual care was essential in allowing providers to care for survivors, and also allowed for increased flexibility, it was not a panacea. Many survivors faced additional obstacles to care, such as language barriers, unequal access to technology, lack of childcare, and economic insecurity. Providers addressed these barriers by tailoring services and care modalities to an individual’s needs and circumstances. Going forward, some innovations of the pandemic period, such as virtual interactions and cooperation across care sectors, may be utilized in ways that attend to shifting survivor needs and access, thereby improving safe, equitable, and trauma-informed IPV care.

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